Interplay's Black Isle Studios have had a reputation for creating some of the best role-playing games in recent years. Many of their RPGs have had a strong focus on story and characters, and not just on fighting and leveling up.

Neither of their upcoming titles should return Black Isle to the story-heavy mark of Planescape: Torment, but adventure gamers may still find something to like in these games.

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Icewind Dale II is nearly finished, and like its predecessor, it will be a primarily action-based game. The sequel will add dialogue-based "puzzle" alternatives to many combat sequences, though. For example, you may be able to impersonate members of a cult by picking up their robes and remembering enough information to pass their tests, instead of just killing everyone on sight. Another group will let you join them by passing puzzle-like trials, but again, combat is always an option. Other improvements include a resolution boost to 800x600 and the inclusion of the more intuitive 3rd Edition Dungeons & Dragons rules.

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Black Isle's original title this year is Lionheart, based in part on European history from the Crusades to the Spanish Inquisition. According to this story, England's Richard the Lionheart fought in the Crusaders to create the "Great Disjunction" -- an evil magical portal that the Spanish Inquisition is trying to close. A fictional twist on historical events also brings characters like Leonardo da Vinci and Machievelli into the story, and players can take either side in this conflict.

Black Isle will be using the "Velocity Engine" found previously in Star Trek: Away Team, instead of the Infinity Engine used in most of its recent D&D-based games. 3D characters will be shown against a pre-drawn 2D background, and since Interplay already has experience with this engine, the title may not face the same technical problems that caused the cancellation of last year's planned 3D RPG Torn. Lionheart will also take the "SPECIAL" skill system from the Fallout games.

The gameplay will be largely action-based, although the developers promise a strong story throughout the game. The plot seemed like it might be intriguing, although it may turn out to be a bit too dark -- in terms of both story and graphics. I also didn't get a strong feel for how the actual game will turn out. We should know more when the game is released this winter.

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